Business Details
Landscape Architects for Living Urban Ecosystems
Urban Ecosystems is a critical design practice specializing in landscape architecture, planning, and design. Our work focuses on enriching urban environments by integrating natural and cultural elements through rigorous community engagement. We believe every landscape has a unique story shaped by its history, ecology, and community interactions. Our approach prioritizes listening to uncover latent characteristics of each site, tailoring solutions to specific contexts rather than applying generic templates. We collaborate with diverse communities to create living landscapes that foster connections between people, nature, and place.Our team challenges conventional practices to deliver well-crafted designs that respect local identities while addressing contemporary needs. Projects range from parks and open spaces to urban redevelopment initiatives across multiple scales. We emphasize long-term partnerships, ensuring each project receives dedicated attention to detail and materiality. Our commitment extends beyond aesthetics to creating spaces that improve mental health, safety, and community belonging. Through innovative design and cultural sensitivity, we shape urban ecosystems that reflect and enhance the vibrancy of the communities they serve.
Services
Landscape Architecture
Urban Design
Community Engagement
Park Planning
Cultural Landscapes
Highlights and features
- We tailor designs to unique cultural and ecological contexts
- Our process prioritizes community engagement and listening
- We challenge conventional landscape architecture practices
- Projects integrate natural systems with cultural histories
- Commitment to improving mental health through design
What people say
Community-driven process
Cultural sensitivity
Innovative design
Ecological focus
Collaborative approach
Services
Landscape Architecture
Creating functional outdoor spaces that harmonize natural systems with human needs. Our approach combines ecological principles with cultural context to develop sustainable environments. We focus on materiality, spatial relationships, and community identity to produce landscapes that evolve with their surroundings while maintaining lasting value.
Community Engagement
Developing inclusive design processes that incorporate diverse perspectives. We facilitate workshops, interviews, and collaborative sessions to understand community needs and aspirations. This participatory approach ensures projects reflect local values while addressing practical requirements for public spaces and infrastructure.
Urban Redevelopment
Transforming underutilized urban areas into vibrant community assets. Our work addresses complex challenges through creative site analysis and programming strategies. We prioritize sustainable practices while respecting historical context and cultural significance in revitalization projects across various cityscapes.
Park Planning
Designing parks that serve as ecological and social hubs within urban environments. We create multi-functional spaces that accommodate diverse activities while preserving natural features. Our approach integrates water management systems, native plantings, and culturally significant elements to foster community connections with nature.
Cultural Landscapes
Preserving and interpreting cultural narratives through landscape design. We work with indigenous communities and historical stakeholders to develop spaces that honor traditional practices and ecological knowledge. Our projects create meaningful connections between contemporary users and ancestral land relationships through thoughtful spatial planning.
People
Sam Geer
President/Partner
Landscape architect with extensive experience in urban design and community-driven projects. Focuses on creating spaces that reflect cultural narratives and ecological systems while maintaining practical functionality for public use.
Michael Keenan
Director of Design/Partner
Design leader specializing in innovative landscape solutions that integrate natural processes with urban infrastructure. Brings creative vision to projects while maintaining technical rigor in implementation strategies.
Ryan Herm
Principal Landscape Architect/Partner
Experienced in large-scale urban projects with emphasis on sustainable systems and community engagement. Develops design frameworks that balance ecological performance with social programming requirements.
John Koepke
Ojibwe Landscape Architect
Cultural specialist integrating indigenous knowledge into landscape design. Focuses on creating spaces that honor traditional land relationships while addressing contemporary community needs through collaborative processes.
Jay Lidberg
Director of Field Operations
Manages project implementation with emphasis on construction quality and material integrity. Ensures design intent translates effectively into built environments through technical expertise and site supervision.
Questions
What makes Urban Ecosystems' approach unique?
We prioritize listening to communities and landscapes to create tailored designs that reflect each site's unique cultural and ecological context.
How do you incorporate indigenous perspectives?
We collaborate with indigenous communities to integrate traditional ecological knowledge and cultural practices into our landscape designs.
What project types do you specialize in?
We focus on parks, open spaces, urban redevelopment, and culturally significant landscapes across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
How can I get involved in a project?
We offer community workshops, surveys, and collaborative design sessions to gather input on active projects in development.
What sustainability practices do you use?
Our designs incorporate native plantings, water management systems, and materials that minimize environmental impact while enhancing ecological function.
